Posts by Desirée O

In celebration of the launch of their 10th awesome issue, WORN (a fashion journal actually worth reading) is presenting: Pin up, Party down: an exhibition of wearables presented on wearables.
And they want you to be involved…
“We are reaching out to WORN readers for donations of one-inch button designs in the theme: something wearable. We will select designs from submissions with which we will create 1000 pins.
With every chosen design, we will create ten pins for … READ MORE

Every other Thursday I profile a new incredible woman, each from a different walk of life. Different professions, causes, backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, and anything/everything else!
So without further delay, let me introduce the awesome Amber Dawn…
Vancouver writer, filmmaker and performance artist Amber Dawn is also currently the director of programming for the Vancouver Queer Film Festival. Her award-winning, genderfuck docu-porn, “Girl on Girl,” has been screened in eight countries and is now part of the gender … READ MORE

April is National Poetry Month. Did you know?
While the literary world is buzzing with endless events and contests / competitions / prizes are announced, I’m wondering how many people out there are completely unaware that there even is a National Poetry Month. How “noticed” is poetry?
I myself discovered poetry when I was very young. I really can’t remember exactly how it came into my life, but I have always been scribbling lines of verse and … READ MORE

There was always plenty of feminist literature around while I was growing up. Pressed on the shelf between Descartes’ Meditations on First Philosophy and Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull were books like Clarissa Pinkola Estes’ Women Who Run With the Wolves, Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own, and writing by Maya Angelou.
I remember reading bits here and there, examining each and every cover, and wondering who the women writers were whose pictures were … READ MORE

Every other Thursday I profile a new incredible woman, each from a different walk of life. Different professions, causes, backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, and anything/everything else!
So without further delay, let me introduce the awesome Erin Robinson…
Creating independent games since 2005, Erin Robinson’s work has been featured by both Boing Boing and PC Gamer UK. Erin has also spoken at multiple conferences, including GDC where she, along with Heather Kelley, presented the winning design in the annual … READ MORE

Busting Out is a professional theatre program for GIRLS aged 12 to 16. Its goal is to provide a forum for young women, through a series of theatre-based workshops, discussion and collective creation. The participants of the program will have the opportunity to work with professional playwrights, actors and directors on their own Writing Project, as well as a public presentation of their own creation. Professional artists will lead the girls in classes, which include … READ MORE

Every other Thursday I profile a new incredible woman, each from a different walk of life. Different professions, causes, backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, and anything/everything else!
So without further delay, let me introduce the wonderful Andrea Thompson…
A popular performer at venues and festivals across North America, Andrea Thompson is a pioneer of the Canadian Slam Poetry scene. Her work has been featured on film, radio, and television; as well as been included in magazines, literary journals and … READ MORE

To be honest, I don’t normally pay attention to the JUNO Awards. Often reflecting what major radio stations are playing as opposed to what Canadians are actually listening to, the Junos have in the past seemed…”out of touch” is a nice what to say it, I think.
This year, things appear to be a little different.
I didn’t check out any of the news when Juno nominations were announced (who wants to hear that Nickleback is going … READ MORE

Every other Thursday I profile a new incredible woman, each from a different walk of life. Different professions, causes, backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, and anything/everything else!
So without further delay, let me introduce the amazing Adebe D. A….
Adebe D.A. is a Toronto-born writer and former research intern at the Applied Research Center, home of ColorLines magazine. A recent MA graduate in English/Cultural Studies, and Cultural Editor of Race-Talk, Kirwan Institute’s blog on racial politics, she writes on … READ MORE

As you may have heard, Toronto’s Women Bookstore is in danger of closing its doors. A number of fundraisers have been arranged to help out…
Feb. 18th: Comedy Fundraiser for the Toronto’s Women Bookstore
Feb. 21st: Come join us for a day of fun! Performance, Music, Art and Food goodness. A family Friendly event where we will have a number of performers and a craft/art market area. (poster above)
Mar. 8th: Musical Fundraiser for the Toronto Women’s Bookstore
To … READ MORE

OPEN CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS!
OTHER TONGUES: Mixed-Race Women Speak Out
Co-editors Adebe D.A. and Andrea Thompson are seeking submissions for an anthology of writing by and about mixed-race women, intended for publication in Fall 2010 by Inanna Publications.
The purpose of this anthology is to explore the question of how mixed-race women in North America identify in the 21st Century. The anthology will also serve as a place to learn about the social experiences, attitudes, and … READ MORE

Every other Thursday I profile a new incredible woman, each from a different walk of life. Different professions, causes, backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, and anything/everything else!
So without further delay, let me introduce the awesome Leanne Prain…
Vancouver, BC graphic designer and author Leanne Prain is passionate about creativity: yarn, fabric, street art, design, handmade goods, art, publishing, pop culture, antiquarian printing, typography, social media, and technology. She has a particular interest in how handmade skills can flourish … READ MORE

Do you have role-models? Mentors? A woman you look up to for some reason or other?
Every other week I profile “positive female role models for young women” in my Shameless Women column. They are amazing ladies that I hope inspire the women who read each interview. However, the women I interview tend to be “regular” people.
Back in December, columnist Kate Carraway wrote in her article, “What’s next for sex? Feminism didn’t really work. Oopsie!” that … READ MORE

Did you watch the Golden Globes this year? Were you moved by Mo’Nique’s emotional speech? Were you caught up in the “issue” of her leg hair?
Wait…what?!!
Yes, that’s right, because there are those who insist on anally analyzing every aspect of women’s bodies (especially those on red carpets) NYDailyNews.com went ahead with a story titled, “Mo’Nique: least superficial actress ever? Before Golden Globes most moving speech, flaunts leg hair”.
Yeesh.
Here’s a bit of the article…and make sure … READ MORE

Every other Thursday I profile a new incredible woman, each from a different walk of life. Different professions, causes, backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, and anything/everything else!
So without further delay, let me introduce the awesome Lizzie Renaud…
Lizzie Renaud is a 27 year old Toronto-based tattoo artist and owner of Speakeasy Tattoo. After an on/off apprenticeship, she has now been tattooing for more than 6 years and has worked in various countries including England, Belgium, Canada, USA, Netherlands, … READ MORE

A conversation I had with a friend this week sparked a few questions around bisexuality - concerning the label itself, people’s acceptance of bisexuality, and more.
Here are a few bi-curiosities we pondered…
When you’re straight, people generally take your word for it. You don’t have to sleep with a significant number of the opposite sex to prove your inclination towards them. In fact you don’t even have to sleep with one. You could be a virgin, … READ MORE

I asked if you were interested in a Lilith Fair 2010.
I asked if you were happy with the initial line up that was announced.
I’ve got one more question for you… Do you want to play Lilith Fair 2010?
“This year Lilith will give aspiring female artists the opportunity to perform a set at each of the 2010 tour stops in North America.
Upload your best original song into the “Lilith Local Talent Search” Channel for … READ MORE

Every other Thursday I profile a new incredible woman, each from a different walk of life. Different professions, causes, backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, and anything/everything else!
So without further delay, let me introduce the wonderful Jennifer Cowan…
Having written professionally for the past two decades, chances are you’ve seen something Jennifer Cowan has been a part of. With television credits that include writer and Executive Story Editor of Producing Parker, Show Me Yours, Traders and Big Sound; she … READ MORE

The holidays are approaching and if you celebrate by exchanging gifts, some of you might be wondering what to ask for.
In my never-ending quest to see more women significantly recognized in the music world, I’ve put together a little gift guide for all you awesome girls who rock.
1. The Girls’ Guide to Rocking: How to Start a Band, Book Gigs, and Get Rolling to Rock Stardom
The Girls’ Guide to Rocking is a book that … READ MORE